Toe curl prevention device and methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and associated methods for preventing and treating toe curl, a condition where the toes of a patient curl toward the bottom of the foot, are provided. The apparatus provides a pad operable for engaging the bottom of the foot, and a strap that surrounds the foot and pad for applying a flexion force against the foot. The pad engages and supports at least one toe and prevents the toe or toes from curling toward the bottom of the foot. The device can be worn by a patient at night or during the day to treat or prevent toe curl. Additionally, the strap can include an elastic material for providing a tension force required for flexion stretching, and the strap can be attachable at one end to a removable leg band that can be securely and releasably positioned about the leg.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/947,918 filed Nov. 17, 2010 entitled “TOE CURL PREVENTIONDEVICE AND METHODS” all of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to devices and methods for preventing andtreating foot disorders. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to foot support devices and methods for preventing and treatingtoe-curl associated with spinal cord injury and other medicalconditions.

2. Background Art

Patients suffering from various types of spinal cord injuries and othermedical conditions can experience a phenomenon where the toesuncontrollably curl toward the bottom of the foot, forming a curled orclaw-like shape. The curling can be due to spasticity in the muscles andtendons in the foot or can be caused by tightening of the tendons andmuscles in the foot due to long periods of non-use. Over time, themovement of the foot tendons and muscles can permanently deform anddisfigure the toes, result in a claw-toe, or hammer-toe. Toe curldeformation of this type is particularly prevalent among spinal cordinjury patients, patients with multiple sclerosis, and stroke victims.The toe curl deformation process can occur over several months or years,and can cause a variety of associated medical problems which may requireadditional medication or surgery, including poor circulation, pain andinfection. Additionally, the condition can prevent a patient from beingable to wear shoes or slippers. Toe curl deformation also causespatients to experience mental anguish due to the deformed visualappearance of the toes.

Others have attempted to address the problems associated with toe curlby providing surgical techniques and tools to cut open and relieve thetension on the ligaments in the foot that contribute to the problem.Still others have developed injectable pharmaceuticals that can belocally administered to relax the tightened ligaments and prevent thecondition. However, such conventional treatments do not address theproblem before it begins and can be very expensive.

What is needed then is a device and associated methods for preventingand treating toe curl deformation in human feet.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for preventingtoe curl by supporting a foot and corresponding toes, each toe having adistal toe end extending away from the foot. The apparatus includes apad engaging the bottom of the foot and extending to the distal toe endof at least one toe when the pad is positioned on the foot. Theapparatus also includes a leg band and a strap having a proximal strapend attached to the leg band. The strap includes a distal strap endsecurable to the pad, and the strap includes a resilient material. Thestrap spans the distance between the leg band and the pad when the strapdistal end is secured to the foot.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forpreventing the toes of a foot from curling toward the bottom of thefoot. The apparatus includes a pad operable to engage the foot, the padcontacting the underside of at least one toe when the pad is positionedon the foot. The apparatus also includes a foot sleeve defining a sleeveopening shaped for receiving the foot and the pad, wherein the footsleeve is operable to at least partially surround the foot and the padwhen the pad is positioned adjacent the foot. The apparatus furtherincludes a leg band and a strap having a proximal strap end attached tothe leg band. The strap includes a distal strap end extending away fromthe leg band and defining a strap opening. A heel cushion is positionedadjacent the bottom of the foot. The heel cushion defines a centraldepression shaped for receiving the foot in some embodiments.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method ofpreventing toe curl in a foot of a spinal cord injury patient. Themethod includes the steps of: (a) providing a foot support device havinga pad, a foot sleeve, a leg band, an elastic strap attached to andextending from the leg band, the strap defining a strap hole shaped forreceiving the foot, and a heel cushion; (b) positioning the pad adjacentthe bottom of the foot so that the pad contacts the underside of atleast one toe; (c) positioning the foot sleeve over both the pad and thefoot; (d) positioning the leg band on the leg between the patient's footand hip; (e) stretching the elastic band toward the foot; and (f)inserting the foot, pad and foot sleeve through the strap hole, therebysecuring the strap to the foot in a stretched position and applying aflexion force on the foot directed toward the knee.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading ofthe following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a leg anda foot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side perspective view of an embodiment of afoot support apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view the foot pad of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially exploded side perspective view of anembodiment of a foot support apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a partial side perspective view of an embodiment ofa foot support apparatus positioned on the leg of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B illustrates a partial detail cross-sectional view of anembodiment of a strap and leg band.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a legsupport apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing thestrap opening positioned over the foot.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a heel cushion in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a detail side view of an embodiment of a foot padsupporting a toe wherein the foot pad distal end extends to the toedistal end.

FIG. 8B illustrates a detail side view of an embodiment of a foot padsupporting a toe wherein the foot pad distal end does not extendcompletely to the toe distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view ofan embodiment of a toe curl prevention apparatus generally designated bythe numeral 100. In the drawings, not all reference numbers are includedin each drawing for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional termssuch as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to theapparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. The skilledartisan will recognize that the apparatus can assume differentorientations when in use.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a human foot 50 is generally illustrated. Thefoot includes a plurality of toes 52 a, 52 b, etc. Each toe has a distaltoe end 60 a, 60 b, etc., respectively. Each distal toe end extends awayfrom the foot 50. Each toe 52 a, 52 b, etc. also includes a toeunderside 53 a, etc. Each toe underside generally faces away from theleg 58. The foot 50 also includes an arch 62 defined along the bottom ofthe foot. The arch 62 separates the toes from the heel 54. A toe jointis positioned between the toe 53 a and the arch 62. The foot 50 includesa foot length 68 extending from the heel 54 to the distal toe ends 60 a,60 b, etc. The foot length 68 is generally defined as the length fromthe heel 54 to the most distal toe end, usually first distal toe end 60a or second distal toe end 60 b.

As seen in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pad12, or foot pad, that can be positioned along the underside of the foot50 adjacent the arch 62. The foot pad 12 in some embodiments engages thebottom of the foot and extends to the toe distal end 60 a, 60 b, etc. ofat least one toe 52 a, 52 b, etc. when positioned on the foot 50. A legband 18 is positioned on the leg 58 between the foot 50 and thepatient's hip (not shown). A strap 20 has a proximal strap end 26. Theproximal strap end 26 is attached to the leg band 18. Strap 20 also hasa distal strap end 28 extending away from the leg band 18. The distalstrap end 28 is securable to the foot pad 12 by a mechanical attachmentmeans or by a press fit or tension fit.

Strap 20 includes a resilient material or stretchable fabric in someembodiments. Strap 20 can include an elastomer such as natural rubber,synthetic rubber, butyl rubber, latex, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber,combinations thereof or other suitable resilient or stretchablematerials. Strap 20 can include an unstretched length 21, seen in FIG.2. In some embodiments, the unstretched length 21 is between about twoand about twenty inches, depending on the length of the patient's leg.

Referring further to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, both strap 20 and legband 18 include a fabric material. Strap 20 can be sewn directly to legband 18 in some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 5B. For example, leg band18 can include an annular band positioned around the circumference ofleg 58, and strap proximal end 26 of strap 20 can be positioned betweenleg band 18 and leg 58. Strap proximal end 26 can also be sewn directlyto leg band 18 at a first stitch region 41. First stitch region 41 caninclude a sewn connection between leg band 18 and strap 20. Similarly,in some embodiments, a second stitch region 42 can be used to securestrap 20 to leg band 18. In other embodiments, leg band 18 can beattached to strap 20 using mechanical fasteners such one or morebuttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners or other suitable fasteners.Strap proximal end 26 is generally positioned on the side of leg band 18opposite the leg band outer surface 25 in some embodiments. However, inother embodiments not shown, strap proximal end 26 can be directlyattached to leg band outer surface 25.

Referring further to FIG. 2, leg band 18 can include a releasableconnection, or leg band closure 22, so that leg band 18 can bepositioned on leg 58 without sliding leg band 18 over foot 50. A legband closure 22 on leg band 18 also allows the leg band 18 to bepositioned on the patient without requiring lifting heel 54. As seen inan exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, leg band closure 22 includes a firstband end 43 and a second band end 44. A first band fastener 29 a ispositioned on first band end 43, and a second band fastener 29 b ispositioned on second band end 44. First and second band fasteners 29 a,29 b can include any suitable fasteners, including hook-and-loopfasteners, buttons, snaps, and the like. First band fastener 29 a cangenerally be releasably secured to second band fastener 29 b. Proximalstrap end 26 can be attached to either first band end 43 or second bandend 44.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, foot pad 12 includes aplurality of adjacent layers 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, etc. Although foot pad 12is illustrated in one embodiment in FIG. 3 as having three layers, inother embodiments foot pad 12 can have only one layer. In otherembodiments, foot pad 12 can have between two and about ten layers. Inyet further embodiments, foot pad 12 can have greater than ten layers.In some preferred embodiments, foot pad 12 includes five or six layers.Some or all layers in foot pad 12 can include a rigid material. Otherlayers can be flexible. In some embodiments, a first layer 13 a includesa first material having a first density, and a second layer 13 bincludes a second material having a second density, wherein the firstand second densities are not equal. Additionally, third layer 13 c couldhave a third density different from the first and second densities. Forexample, the layer positioned nearest the foot might have a lowerdensity than another layer to enhance comfort against the bottom of thefoot. In yet other embodiments, it may be more desirable to include amore rigid, or denser, layer adjacent the bottom of the foot to enhancesupport. In some embodiments, one or more layers can include a foam orcushion material such as plastazote, Poron® cushioning foam, apolyethylene foam, a natural or synthetic leather material, a polyolefinsuch as but not limited to polypropylene, a graphite, a plastic,combinations thereof, or other suitable materials. It is understood thateach layer 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, etc. in foot pad 12 can include a similaror dissimilar material as compared to other layers in foot pad 12. Forexample, each layer might include a polyethylene foam. In otherembodiments, first layer 13 a and third layer 13 c can include apolyethylene foam, and second layer 13 b can include a more rigidmaterial such as a graphite or a plastic. Additionally, one or morelayers can include a gel-filled layer to improve comfort or to provide adesired heating or cooling effect to the foot during use.

Referring further to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, foot pad 12 includes afoot pad length 37. As seen in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, foot pad 12is generally positioned on foot 50 such that foot pad distal end 39extends away from heel 54. In some embodiments, foot pad 12 ispositioned adjacent foot 50 so that foot pad distal end 39 is alignedwith at least one toe distal end 60 a, 60 b, etc. In some embodiments,foot pad 12 is positioned against foot 50 so that foot pad 12 extends tothe distal end of at least one toe when foot pad 12 is positioned on thefoot. For example, as seen in FIG. 8A, in some embodiments, foot pad 12supports the underside 53 a of first toe 52 a. As seen in FIG. 8A, insome embodiments, distal toe end 60 a can be aligned with foot paddistal end 39 when foot pad 12 is positioned on foot 50. In some otherembodiments, foot pad distal end 39 can extend beyond one or more distaltoe ends 60 a, 60 b, etc., as seen in FIG. 6. As seen in FIG. 8B, insome embodiments a foot pad 12 can be positioned against foot 50 so thatfoot pad distal end 39 supports the underside of the toe withoutextending completely to the toe distal end 60 a. In such embodiments,the foot pad distal end 39 defines a pad offset distance 45 less thanthe total length of the toe, but greater than zero. In some embodiments,the ratio of pad offset distance 45 to toe length is between about 0.1and about 0.9. In other embodiments, the ratio of pad offset distance 45to toe length is about 0.5. It is understood that the toe describedherein and represented in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B can be any toe, and notnecessarily the largest or longest toe.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, strap 20 includes a distalstrap end 28 that defines a strap opening 30. Strap opening 30 can bedimensioned to fit over the foot from the distal toe end toward theheel. The strap opening 30 can also include a stretchable or resilientmaterial such as an elastomer so that strap opening 30 can initiallyhave a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the foot, butcan stretch to conform to the shape of the foot when positioned onto thefoot.

Also seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments a foot sleeve 16 is provided tobe positioned over the foot 50 and foot pad 12. The foot sleeve 16includes a foot sleeve opening 17 shaped to receive the foot 50. Thefoot sleeve 16 is operable to at least partially surround foot 50 andpad 12 when positioned on the foot 50, as seen in FIG. 5A. The strapopening 30 is shaped for receiving the foot 50, foot sleeve 16 and footpad 12, as seen in FIG. 6. Foot sleeve 16 can include a fabric material.In some embodiments, foot sleeve 16 includes a stretchable or resilientmaterial such as an elastomer material.

When strap 20 is positioned on foot 50, as seen in FIG. 6, strap distalend 28 can be positioned along foot length 68 at various positions toachieve different levels of force. For example, a greater appliedflexion force can be experienced when strap distal end 28 is positionednearer a toe distal end 60 a, 60 b, etc. However, in other embodiments,a lower flexion force can be achieved by positioning strap distal end 28nearer heel 54. In some embodiments, an optimal level of flexion forcecan be achieved for preventing toe curl when strap distal end 28 ispositioned between the midpoint of foot length 60 and a toe distal end.

During use, the foot pad 12 is positioned against the foot 50. The footsleeve 16 can be positioned over the foot to surround the foot 50 andthe foot pad 12. In some embodiments, one or more pieces of adhesivetape 46 can be applied to the foot sleeve 16 to releasably secure thefoot sleeve 16 to the foot 50. In some applications, because of thetapered shape of foot 50, the foot sleeve 16 may have a tendency to slipoff the distal end of foot 50. Tape 46 can prevent such movement of footsleeve 16. Tape 46 can include a surgical tape, a fabric athletic tape,or a household tape such as masking tape or duct tape. Leg band 18 isalso positioned onto leg 58. Leg band 18 can be secured to leg 58 insome embodiment using leg band closure 22, seen in FIG. 2. Distal strapend 28 can be stretched, or pulled, toward foot 50, and strap opening 30is positioned over foot 50, foot pad 12 and foot sleeve 16.

As seen in FIG. 6, when strap 20 is stretched and secured to pad 12,strap 20 includes a stretched length 23 such that strap 20 spans thedistance between the leg band 18 and the pad 12. In this position, strap20 exerts a flexion force on foot 50, as indicated by flexion arrow 71.The flexion force is transferred through foot pad 12 to toes 52 a, 52 b,etc., thereby supporting the underside of the toes. The support providedto the underside of the toes by pad 12 due to the flexion force suppliedby strap 20 prevents toe curl. As seen in FIG. 6, in some embodiments anoptimal flexion force is applied to the foot by positioning the distalstrap end 28 at a location on the foot substantially between the a toeand the underside of the foot, or the arch 62. By positioning the distalstrap end at a joint location where the toe meets the body of the footbetween toe 53 a and arch 62 seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, a proper flexionforce for preventing toe curl and foot droop can be achieved. It isunderstood that a proper flexion force can also be achieved bypositioning distal strap end 28 at other locations along the foot 50.

The apparatus 100 seen in FIG. 6 can be worn by a user or a patientduring times of reduced activity, such as at night during sleeping orwhen resting on a couch or bed. Repeated use in such instances willgenerally prevent the claw-tow, or hammer-toe, conditions commonlyexperienced by spinal cord injury patients, multiple sclerosis patientsand stroke victims.

Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in some optional embodiments a heelcushion 14 can be positioned under heel 54 adjacent foot pad 12 duringuse of the apparatus 100. The heel cushion 54 in some embodimentsincludes a tubular cushion sleeve 11 filled with a cushioning materialsuch as cushioning beads or pellets. In other embodiments, tubularcushion sleeve 11 can be filled with a soft material such as cotton asuitable padded stuffing material. In one embodiment, heel cushion 14includes a tubular cushion sleeve 11 having an elastic nylon sleeve ofthe type used in nylon leg wear and filled with foam beads. The tubularcushion sleeve 11 in some embodiments can include first and second tubeends that can be tied together to form a toroidal, or doughnut-shaped,ring structure, as seen in FIG. 7. The heel cushion 14 in thisembodiment defines a central depression 15 shaped to receive heel 54. Aradial groove, or radial depression 19 can also be positioned near thejunction of the first and second tube ends shaped to receive theAchilles region 59 of the leg adjacent the heel 54, seen in FIG. 5A.Heel cushion 54 can be used to prevent the formation of bed sores orbreaks in the skin that commonly form on the heels of bedridden patientsor patients with spinal cord injuries affecting the lower regions of thebody. In addition, heel cushion 54 can be placed under one or both ofthe patient's feet to relieve pressure on a foot when turning thepatient over on a side.

In addition, the foot support device of the present invention can beused to address a separate problem experienced by spinal cord injurypatients and other types of patients wherein the one or both feet tendto droop or extend away from the leg, resulting in an unnatural extendedfoot position. This drooping effect can be caused by atrophy or non-useof the tendons in the leg. The drooping effect can also be caused byunbalanced tension forces in the tendons and muscles of the legs. Theflexion force provided by the foot support apparatus 100 of the presentinvention, as illustrated as arrow 71 in FIG. 6, can prevent and treatthe drooping effect.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes a method ofpreventing toe curl in a foot of a spinal cord injury patient. Themethod includes the steps of: (a) providing a foot support device havinga pad, a foot sleeve, a leg band, an elastic strap attached to andextending from the leg band, the strap defining a strap hole shaped forreceiving the foot, and a heel cushion; (b) positioning the pad adjacentthe bottom of the foot so that the pad contacts the underside of atleast one toe; (c) positioning the foot sleeve over both the pad and thefoot; (d) positioning the leg band on the leg between the patient's footand hip; (e) stretching the elastic band toward the foot; and (f)inserting the foot, pad and foot sleeve through the strap hole, therebysecuring the strap to the foot in a stretched position and applying aflexion force on the foot directed toward the knee.

In additional embodiments, the method can include the step of providinga patient having a spinal cord injury. In another embodiment, the methodcan include the step of providing a patient having multiple sclerosis.In yet another embodiment, the method can include the step of providinga patient who is a stroke victim. Additionally, the method can includethe step of positioning a heel cushion under the heel of the foot.Although the method can be described as a method of preventing toe curl,in some embodiments, the present invention includes a method of treatingtoe curl after it has already begun. In the treatment method, thevarious steps listed above may be present in some embodiments, and theobjective of the treatment method is to prevent toe curl from worseningand to reverse the effects of toe curl. Additionally, using thetreatment method described herein, the effects of toe curl may bediminished.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful TOE CURL PREVENTION DEVICE ANDMETHODS, it is not intended for such references to be construed aslimitations upon the scope of the invention except as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for preventing the toes of a footfrom curling toward the bottom of the foot, comprising: a pad operableto support the underside of at least one toe when the pad is positionedagainst the foot; a leg band; and a strap having a proximal endattachable to the leg band and a distal strap end forming a strapopening, wherein the strap opening is shaped to receive a portion of thefoot.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heel cushiondefining a central depression shaped for receiving a portion of thefoot.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the pad includinga plurality of adjacent layers.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thestrap includes an elastomer material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the strap is sewn to the leg band.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the leg band includes a releasable closure.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a foot sleeve having a foot sleeve openingshaped for receiving the foot.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thepad extends to a distal end of at least one toe when the apparatus ispositioned on the foot.
 9. A method of preventing toe curl in apatient's foot, comprising: (a) providing a foot support device having apad, a leg band, and a strap attachable to and extending from the legband, the strap including a strap hole shaped for receiving a portion ofthe foot; (b) positioning the pad against the bottom of the foot so thatthe pad supports the underside of at least one toe; (c) positioning theleg band on the patient's leg; (d) pulling the leg band toward the foot;and (e) positioning a portion of the foot and the pad in the strap hole.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising wherein the pad extends atleast to the distal end of the at least one toe.
 11. The method of claim9, further comprising: positioning a heel cushion under the heel of thefoot.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the strap hole receives thefoot and the pad.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:positioning a sleeve around the foot and the pad.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the strap hole receives the sleeve.